Sport, Exercise and Development

Description

Sport and exercise continue to be a fundamental part of human services, increasingly within the third sector and local and international development initiatives. This course provides students with the opportunity to critically investigate shifting socio-cultural constructions of sport and exercise for human services. Students are introduced to key social theories, concepts, experiences and issues of sport, and encouraged to engage critically and analytically with the relationship between sport, social inclusion/participation and diversity in NZ society and international contexts - exploring issues related to social justice, inclusivity, privilege, power and marginalization. In part one of the course, students will trace the ways in which sport and exercise relate to key aspects of identity and culture. The course will also examine the extent, shape, and scope of equality of opportunities in sports amongst key social groups, with particular attention to gender, (dis)ability and ethnicity. In part two of the course, students will critically consider the shifts in the nature, politics and impact of sport for development. Students are introduced to key concepts and social theories to critique the use of concepts of 'sport for good' and 'sport and social capital' for the promotion of health, wellbeing and social development within local and global contexts. The inclusion of guest lecturers in specialist areas and current research from staff ensures that the course is cutting edge.